Dental fissures are grooves that form naturally on the biting surfaces of molars over time. If left unaddressed, food debris stuck in a dental fissure can lead to bacterial growth and eventually, tooth decay. Dental fissures are difficult to clean because they mostly occur in the back molars.
Dental fissure sealants are an extremely durable, protective coating applied to fissures to cover them. Sealants ensure that the tooth is protected from plaque and food debris, and also make it easier to keep the tooth clean. Your dental specialist will examine your teeth during a routine dental checkup and spot early signs of fissures. Placing dental sealants in the tooth in a timely manner greatly reduces the likelihood of developing cavities.
Fissure sealants can be placed in almost any tooth at any age. At WiSE Dental, we recommend fissure sealants for children with newly erupted molars. During this time, the teeth have been exposed to minimal decay and are more likely to benefit from the protection offered by dental fissures. Fissures are also ideal for adults who are concerned about cavities and tooth decay.
The fissure sealant procedure is a simple, painless and non-invasive procedure. It doesn’t not require anaesthetic and minimal preparation of the tooth enamel is required to conduct the procedure. If any tooth decay is discovered, it must first be removed before the fissures are sealed. Deep fissures are thoroughly cleaned to confirm that no food debris or decay are present before a material similar to white composite resin is used to seal the cracks.
Although dental fissure sealants do wear down over time, they last for up to five or six years. At WiSE Dental, we closely monitor dental sealants during routine checkups to check whether you need a replacement.
Here are just some of the reasons why you should consider dental sealants:
Dental fissures are an extremely convenient and affordable way to protect your teeth. When combined with a quality oral care routine and healthy lifestyle, your teeth are likely to remain protected from severe tooth decay for several years. Contact us today to find out whether you or your loved ones are candidates for dental fissure treatment.
